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Dorothy is a volunteer in Bow View Manor’s Adult Day Program (ADP) and has been volunteering at BSF for almost 9 years. She enjoys getting to know the clients and supporting the program in many different ways, including helping out with and running activities, serving food and snacks, and cleaning up after programs.
“First and foremost, I get to know the clients and visit with them. I have met many people, and I love them all,” said Dorothy. “It has been my joy and honour to get to know each one of them: what they like to do, about their families, what country they moved from or if they have always lived in Alberta.”
In addition to helping out with programs each week, Dorothy also volunteers to help the ADP during the events and festivities of the holiday season. Each year, she and her husband, Henry, dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to surprise the clients.
“This has brought a lot of joy to Henry and myself. And, of course, the clients love it,” she said.
When Dorothy first started volunteering at BSF, she did not realize how much she would enjoy it. She knew that she would be helping others, but what she did not expect was how much it would also impact her own life.
“My husband tells me that I am always so happy when I come home from volunteering. He calls it my ‘happy place,’” said Dorothy. “I thought that I would be doing some good and hopefully give the clients a great day away from home. What I was not expecting was what the clients would do for me. My entire work life has been finance; however, I learned through volunteering at ADP that I loved seniors. It opened my world and my heart to a different kind of love and happiness. The ADP staff at BSF are truly amazing. They are so kind, wonderful, and respectful to their clients. They care so much for their clients. It made it very easy to continue throughout these past years to remain a volunteer. Both clients and staff are always happy to see me and that has been a big deal in my life.”
Thank you, Dorothy, for everything you do to help our residents, families, clients, and staff.
To learn more about volunteering at BSF and to see our current opportunities, visit https://www.thebsf.ca/get-involved/volunteer.html
In the spirit of respect, reconciliation and gratitude, we honour and acknowledge that our services are provided on the traditional territories of Treaty 7, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney Bands. These territories are also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3. We are grateful for the many First Nations who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We acknowledge that we have ongoing responsibilities to protect, honour and celebrate all of life within our shared communities.
